Solid player, with a nice design, and Great sound. Similiarly priced with the Ipod Shuffle, and a lot more for the value

Introduction

Upgrades. A word that we automatically associate with something new and improved. Additional features that make the current product much better than the previous. This was Samsung’s intention when releasing the YP-U2 in the US, but maybe they just didn’t fully grasp the concept of an upgrade. In my book, an upgrade should never take away the good things found in an older model, only build onto them. When I mention the older model, I am referring to the ultra-modern designed, Ogg capable YP-U1. In this review, I will show you how the YP-U2 is an upgrade to the last player, and in many cases where it’s a downgrade.

The first thing I need to clarify is that I am using the US version of this player. The specs mentioned by DAPreview in a previous newspost were for the foreign version. You can find info on the differences below the specs. I will be basing this review solely on the US firmware, which is what Samsung intended to provide us with.



Specifications

• Negative LCD (white on black, 128x64 pixels)
• 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB Capacities
• Supported file formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, and ASF
• Built-in Li-polymer battery, good for 13 hours
• FM tuner
• Built-in voice recorder (WAV format)
• 13 EQ presets + User EQ
• Max output: 20mW/CH
• MTP device for Windows XP only, and UMS compatible on Mac OS
• Measurements (LxWxD): 87.5 x 24.4 x 12.6 mm (3.4 x .96 x .50in)
• Weighs 29 grams (1.02 ounces)

Notes:

The foreign version of the YP-U2 offers a fairly different feature-set. Of importance to us, would be the presence of Ogg Vorbis, and universal UMS support. Taken away from that version is an FM tuner. Finally another difference in specs, would be an additional hour of battery life (14 hrs vs 13hrs).

One of our members has successfully flashed the US version with the foreign firmware. After doing so, Ogg and UMS compatibility appear and the FM radio is still there too. A trade off I believe would be the switch from ID3 tag navigation, to folder based navigation.

The US version is an MTP device, and states on the back that it is for Windows XP only. Strangely enough, if you have a Mac OS, this device will show up as a UMS player. There is absolutely no documentation stating this aspect, and Samsung’s customer service did not even know.

article index
page 1 - current : Introduction
page 2 : Package Contents
page 3 : Build and Design
page 4 : Comparison Pics
page 5 : Controls and Navigaton
page 6 : Graphical User Interface (GUI)
page 7 : Extras
page 8 : YP-U1 vs YP-U2
page 9 : Sound Quality
page 10 : Battery Life
page 11 : Conclusion